Hartlepool RNLI coxswain retires after 40 years service

Looking back 57 year old Robbie remembers coming to the Ferry Road lifeboat station as a young boy with his dad Robbie and sitting with the older lifeboat crew and listening to their stories.

When he reached the age of 17 his mam Marie and dad Robbie had him signed up to the RNLI as a birthday present.

In later years, Robbie was involved in the capsize of The Scout lifeboat back in 1993 when he was washed overboard and very luckily rescued by an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter that was also attending the tanker that had ran aground in rough seas at Redcar. He still vividly remembers the event which is commemorated at the Ferry Road lifeboat station every year.

Following in the footsteps of his dad Robbie Snr who was also coxswain, Robbie became coxswain at the the lifeboat station in 1998.

Robbie said: 'Over the years I've been involved in many rescues and even had to be rescued myself when I was washed overboard from the lifeboat back in 1993.

'Sadly despite our very best efforts some jobs have bad outcomes but the ones where you know you've rescued someone and actually saved a life or even lives, leaves you with an incredible feeling of pride and also knowing your fellow crewmembers feel the same way is an amazing feeling.

'After all it's what we constantly train for and to put our training into action at them moments is very special. The changes within the RNLI over the years has been incredible. Both the kit and the boats have evolved and we now have some of the best kit and lifeboats available and the best training resources both on station and at the Lifeboat College at Poole.'

When asked if he would do it all again his reply was 'Yes without doubt.'

As for the future Robbie will be spending more time with his family and a growing number of grandchildren and when he wants to get away from it all, he has a yacht in warmer climes to enjoy with his partner Sue but will still be involved as he takes on the role as a deputy launch authority (DLA) at the station.

Robbie said: 'It's in my blood. I cant just walk away from it all after all these years. Its really encouraging to see the young crewmembers 'learning the ropes' just as I did all them years ago.'

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Steve Pounder said: 'Robbie has helped me tremendously throughout my RNLI career both as a crewmember and my current role. He is a great friend and I'm delighted he is staying with us a DLA.'

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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